REVIEW: How to Howl at the Moon by Eli Easton

Title: How to Howl at the Moon
Series: Howl at the Moon #1
Author: Eli EastonGenre: MM RomanceGoodreads

My Rating:

_______________________________________________________________Blurb

Sheriff Lance Beaufort is not going to let trouble into his town, no sir. Tucked away in the California mountains, Mad Creek has secrets to keep, like the fact that half the town consists of ‘quickened’—dogs who have gained the ability to become human. Descended on both sides from Border Collies, Lance is as alert a guardian as they come.

Tim Weston is looking for a safe haven. After learning that his boss patented all of Tim’s work on vegetable hybrids in his own name, Tim quit his old job. A client offers him use of her cabin in Mad Creek, and Tim sees a chance for a new start. But the shy gardener has a way of fumbling and sounding like a liar around strangers, particularly gorgeous alpha men like Sheriff Beaufort.

Lance’s hackles are definitely raised by the lanky young stranger. He’s concerned about marijuana growers moving into Mad Creek, and he’s not satisfied with the boy’s story. Lance decides a bit of undercover work is called for. When Tim hits a beautiful black collie with his car and adopts the dog, its love at first sight for both Tim and Lance’s inner dog. Pretending to be a pet is about to get Sheriff Beaufort in very hot water.______________________________________________________________________

My Review

The StoryTim Weston rose breeder/gardener, arrives to Mad Creek to start a new life. He is shy and awkward, and of course he is a stranger in the small town which has its secrets to guard. His awkwardness and tendency to babble just increases in the presence of Sheriff Lance Beaufort, who finds Tim’s behavior extremely suspicious. Lance happens to be a shapeshifter, and decides to use this ability to do some undercover work. Lots of misunderstanding, some matchmaking conspiracy, a little melodrama, but it all works out by the end.

World-building
The ‘quickened’ theory was weird. Quickened shifters were once dogs, ‘got the spark’ – the ability to change into human form –, since they could choose to live as humans. After that they had human babies (with the ability to change), but now they change into dog form only for fun and to keep themselves young. I just can’t see the point.

Romance
Rushed, based only on physical attraction, but sadly has no goosebump-effect on me. The connection between Tim and Chance (Lance in dog form) was immediate, but I didn’t feel it when Lance was in human form. Sweet and fluffy but it didn’t feel as a romantic, passionate relationship between two adults. The cover shows it clearly.

Writing Style
Fluffy and enjoyable. It’s an Eli Easton book after all.